Trump: Decision on Iran expected within 48 hours

US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened "very soon," as the United States continues talks with Iran, warning Tehran it would face a "severe" military response if negotiations collapse.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump said: "We were about to launch a massive attack, the biggest since World War II, but the Iranians called me and said, please, can we talk?"

The US president added: "The strait will be opened very soon, or they will face a harsh blow, and after that, the strait will be open. Iran will never possess a nuclear weapon," noting that any potential agreement would include formal guarantees on this issue.

Trump warned that if Tehran withdraws from negotiations, it would be met with a strong military response, saying: "If they do not continue negotiations, they will face a very harsh blow."

During his interview with Fox News, Trump said both sides are having "very good discussions," despite Iran repeatedly denying direct talks with Washington. He noted that they want to reach an agreement, and "we will see what happens within 48 hours. If no agreement is reached, that would be unfortunate."

It is worth noting that earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said: "We are not currently negotiating with the United States. Our negotiations are with Oman to secure a passage through the Strait of Hormuz."

Baghaei explained last Sunday that the understanding being discussed with Oman concerns "a mutually acceptable route, neither the northern nor the southern route, but one that respects the sovereign rights of both parties and safeguards our national interests and security."